The effect of Michler's ketone on cell division, chromosome number and structure in cultured Chinese hamster cells.

The industrial chemical Michler's ketone (MK) has been examined for its ability to induce abnormalities of mitotic cell division and the production of chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy. MK was shown to produce aberrant cell division stages in cultured mammalian cells probably by interference with centrosome replication leading to the production of monopolar spindles during metaphase, and multipolar telophase spindles, in the first division after exposure. Cells in the second division after exposure to MK showed increased levels of chromosome aneuploidy which is presumed to result from aberrant cell division. There was also some evidence of increased levels of chromosome structural aberrations at concentrations of 1.5 microgram/ml.